Meet Ben Anderson (left), a friend of mine who works at Run Networks a privately-owned business located at 1055 N. 115th St #301. Run Networks provides managed Information Technology (IT) services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a full-time staff of six IT professionals, Run Networks presently manages nearly 1,200 computers on their clients’ networks. From help desk services, network management, server and workstation upgrades and management, firewall management, antivirus protection, email management to backups… this company does it all. The company’s representatives, like Ben, focus on relationship-building. “We want to understand what the client does, what they want to do, and them help them develop a technology package to help them succeed in their business. Together, we develop technology plans that won’t break the bank.”

Run Networks offers its services on a “per user” basis. I like that. Whenever a client has technology upgrade question, or technology problem, Run Networks is only a phone call away. They also have remote access tools that permit them to troubleshoot your network and its attached devices. Their automation produces “alerts” to their support team whenever devices on your network fail or experience anomalous behavior, so technical support is prompt and downtime for your business is minimized or avoided.

Give Ben a call at 402-397-1123 or email banderson@runnetworkrun.com to learn more. Stop and see them when you are in the Miracle Hills Golf course area. Happy Motoring!

For over 41 years, Mutual of Omaha Plaza was my daily work destination. Mutual of Omaha Plaza consists of the buildings from 33rd & Dodge Street south to Harney Street, and west to 35th Ave. Headquartered on this campus are the Mutual of Omaha affiliated companies as well as Mutual of Omaha Bank. It was, and is, a great place to work. Founded in 1909 as the Mutual Benefit Health & Accident Association, Mutual of Omaha has succeeded in the insurance and banking marketplaces by focusing on the needs of its customers. They protect what people care about and are there when they are needed. Helping people reach their financial goals is in the company’s DNA. The company and their employees are known for their integrity, generosity, and community engagement. Over the years, the company has made major investments in Omaha, including real estate developments in Regency (West Omaha), and more recently Midtown Crossing at Turner Park which it still oversees. A Fortune 500 company with excellent financial ratings, it is a company you can trust for all of your banking and insurance needs. Give one of their agents or personal bankers a call. Happy Motoring!

Located at 3902 Davenport Street is one of Omaha’s great historical treasures – the Joslyn Castle. The castle preserves the history of one of Omaha’s greatest families. Built by George and Sarah Joslyn in 1903, the 35-room castle comprises 19,360 square feet of ornate woodworking and architectural majesty. A pioneer in the newspaper industry, George built the Western Newspaper Union into the largest “ready print” supplier in the country at that time. Accumulating great wealth, the Joslyn family used their wealth to work for the benefit of others. Through their generosity, they established many great organizations, including UNO, the Nebraska Humane Society, the Omaha Community Playhouse and Joslyn Art Museum, to name a few. The staff at the castle do a wonderful job of preserving the building, Omaha history, and the Joslyn family legacy. Take a tour when you are able. Tours are held on the First and Third Sundays each month and on Mondays. See their website for times and admission costs. Happy Motoring!

Do you need a graphic artist or designer to help you design a logo, wordmark or icon for your business? Please meet Sarah Haig. A member of Omaha Center Sphere chapter 05, Sarah helped my business with 2017 annual report layout, design and print coordination. She also helped design t-shirt logos for an upcoming event.

Growing up on a farm in Courtland, Kansas, Sarah developed an interest in the art profession early in her life. She studied art at Vatterott College, Kansas State University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During college, Sarah recognized the power of computer applications to simplify and enhance her natural art/design abilities. This interest led her to become proficient in the online design of catalogs, brochures, flyers, business cards, letterhead stationary, newsletters and signage.

Sarah now has 18 years of business and graphic design experience working for various Omaha companies including Regal Awards and Midwest Design Imports. One year ago, Sarah initiated her own freelance graphic design business, Make Your Mark. “I help my clients do what they need to do in the advertising and marketing arenas. I can do it all, or I know who can,” she says. Read more…

Located at 606 S 72nd Street (6 blocks South of Dodge) are the offices of State Farm Insurance agent, Grant Mussman. A second-generation State Farm agent, Grant is the epitome of a “Good Neighbor”, providing insurance coverage to 2,000+ families in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area.

Grant’s telephone is very active. In a one-hour interview, his phone rings no fewer than 6 times and a client “drops in” to his office to submit an auto accident claim. He gathers their accident details. “We’ll get it taken care of! That’s why you have insurance!” Grant assures his client. An agent for 8 years, Grant clearly knows his products and interacts with his clients in a professional, down-to-earth, neighborly way.

A husband and father of two young boys, Grant is a serious Creighton Blue Jay and Nebraska Cornhusker sports enthusiast and alumnus. He’s also a huge social media and talk radio advocate. Always exploring new ways to use technology to engage the Omaha community, he participates in or conducts Facebook “live” events, podcasts, and talk radio programs.

Helping others is in Grant’s DNA. He attributes his “Good Neighbor” behaviors to lessons learned from his parents. Read more…

Located in West Omaha, in the shadow of the Sapp Brothers Water Tower/Coffee Pot is Omaha’s very best brand promotion company, LogoLinda.

Producers of custom embroidery or screen-printed fabrics (apparel, bags, etc.) and printed promotional items such as business cards, yard sticks, ink pens, signs and banners, the team at LogoLinda is ready to meet your every branding need, providing unmatched superior quality and timely service.

LogoLinda’s owners and operators, Linda & Terry Gadwood, are life-long friends of my wife and I and we’re always excited to recommend their business. LogoLinda recently celebrated their 10th year in business. “We want to see our customers succeed, and want to know them on a first-name business”, says Linda. The LogoLinda team’s friendliness, honesty, and caring concern for others, are qualities that keep customers coming back.

Do you need branded apparel for your sports team or sporting event? Corporate branded promotional items? Or, personalized items for a significant celebration such as a birthday, wedding or anniversary? Just contact the friendly folks at LogoLinda. No job is too small and no detail will be ignored. At LogoLinda, they enjoy seeing your project come together. Contact them by phone at (402) 669-3594 or by email at linda@logolinda.com. You may also purchase custom branded material on their business website: www.logolinda.com. Happy Motoring!

Located at 5728 S. 144th Street, in the same building as the Millard DMV, is Farm Bureau Financial Services and the offices of Jacob Stroh, a friend of mine who is also one of Omaha’s premier insurance agents. A native Nebraskan from Hickman (South of Lincoln), Jacob provides his customers with smart financial advice with a dose of small-town, neighborly service. Whether you’re getting married, purchasing a home, having a child, changing jobs, or retiring, Jacob has financial advice and assistance for your life transitions. The good news: his advice is FREE. A Business Management graduate from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and Doane College, Jacob has been an insurance agent since October 2014.

An avid outdoorsman, Jacob enjoys golfing, hunting and fishing. No doubt that led to his decision to become licensed to serve clients in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Wyoming <smile>.

One incredible service Jacob offers his customers is an annual “Super Check” review. Equipped with a portfolio of insurance and financial products from some of America’s top companies, Jacob can help you find just the right level of protection for you and your family; from property and casualty coverage to life insurance to crop insurance, they have your back.

Stop by and visit Jacob or his Sales Associate Ryan Scheetz any time you are in Millard. They look forward to serving you! Give them a call at (402) 218-2630 or email jacob.stroh@fbfs.com. Happy Motoring!

Located just south of Leavenworth, on 20th Street, is the art studio of Therman Statom. An Omaha treasure, Therman advocates for youth across Omaha and around the world. Therman serves on the Board of Directors for Kaneko, and directs program development for that organization. Therman’s glass art works have been exhibited in galleries around the world through the Art in Embassies program of the U.S. Department of State. The Smithsonian Institute’s recently opened African-American Heritage Museum on the National Mall in Washington D.C. displays some of his art works. Therman is active in the native american and South Sudanese communities of Omaha helping these people with issues of assimilation and preservation of cultural heritage. Inquiries (for purchase of his original works) may be directed to (402)315-7660 for a private viewing of his works. Happy Motoring!

One of my favorite Omaha events is the annual prayer breakfast held each Spring. Hosted by the CBMC organization, the 49th annual breakfast will be held April 18, 2014 at 6:30 a.m. at the La Vista Convention Center, 12520 Westport Parkway, in La Vista.

Open to the public, and typically attended by over 600 people, this sit-down plated breakfast shows the ability of our business and community leaders to come together in unity and strength. Prayers are offered for the community’s businesses, churches, and missions. Prayers are also lifted for our Omaha youth, the elderly, those serving in our government and military, and so on.

In the past year, Omaha has experienced several high profile homicides – violence is all around us. Now, more than ever, we need to be a city on our knees.

This year, the event’s host speaker will be Mark Whitacre, COO of Cypress Systems Inc. Mark came to public attention in 1995 when, as president of Bio Products Division of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), he was the highest-level corporate executive in U.S. history to become a FBI whistleblower. His undercover work for the FBI became the inspiration for the major motion picture, “The Informant” starring Matt Damon, as Mark Whitacre.

Advance registration for the breakfast is required. Individual tickets are available from $49 to $89. Table reservations and corporate sponsorships are also available. You may visit the Omaha prayer breakfast website for more details, or register at the CBMC event website.

I strongly encourage your attendance at this life changing event. I promise it will be a great start to Easter weekend. Happy Motoring!!

Located at 2202 South 20th Street, is Piccolo’s Italian Steak House. A family friendly restaurant, Piccolo’s has been an Omaha favorite for lunch and dinner since 1934. Piccolo’s menu items are reasonably priced and the service is prompt. And, because of its proximity to the downtown area, it is a frequent choice of Omaha business workers. Piccolo’s dining hall is spacious and quiet, but the lighting is somewhat dim. Piccolo’s has a large party room and competitive rates for wedding banquets and special occasions. During our last visit, members of our party had the pork tenderloin, meatloaf, and roast beef sandwiches as well as the mostaccioli with meatballs. All the portions were generous and the food satisfying.

Piccolo’s serves dinner daily, and lunch Monday through Friday. You typically do not have to call ahead for reservations. And, there is plenty of parking street side and on the north side of the building. Give it a try when you are in South Omaha and Happy Motoring!